Self-reported function, hip range of motion (HROM), and patient-perceived improvement
occurred after an 8-week program of exercise therapy (ET) for patients with hip
osteoarthritis (OA), say authors of an article
published in Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation. Manual therapy (MT) as an adjunct provided no
further benefit, except for achieving higher patient satisfaction, they add.

For this investigation, 131 patients with hip OA recruited from general
practitioners, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and other hospital
consultants in Dublin, Ireland, were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: ET (n=45),
ET+MT (n=43), and wait-list control (n=43).

Participants in both ET and ET+MT groups received up to 8 treatments over 8
weeks. Control group participants were rerandomized into either the ET or ET+MT
group after the 9 week follow-up. Their data were pooled with original
treatment group data—ET (n=66) and ET+MT (n=65).

There was no significant difference in WOMAC PF between ET (n=66) and ET+MT (n=65)
groups at 9 weeks (mean difference 0.09) or at 18 weeks (mean difference 0.42),
or other outcomes, except "patient satisfaction with outcome," which was higher
in the ET+MT group. Improvements in WOMAC, HROM, and patient-perceived change
occurred in both treatment groups compared with the control group.

Comments

Five minutes out of a treatment session for some mobilization and patient instruction/education concurrently? Call it active assisted range of motion and a good thing, if it increases patient satisfaction.
We all, at least we should, know that the exercise programs and patient education/compliance is the key to improvement of physical status. If we really, truly, could "lay hands" would wouldn't have SNFs or patients we see past a couple visits.